(Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat. Photo by Punch news)
Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos State, claims that President Bola Tinubu has endorsed his desire to become governor in advance of the 2027 Lagos State election.
Hamzat revealed this on Wednesday following a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja between President Tinubu and the Lagos State All Progressives Congress’s Governance Advisory Council.
He told reporters that the delegation, headed by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, the chairman of the GAC, introduced him to the President and got his approval to support his candidacy.
“These are leaders and fathers who have witnessed many Christmases and Eid El Kabir, so they have experience. As a result, I am incredibly thrilled that they invited me here to meet Mr. President, and Mr. President has blessed us and blessed the decision of GAC,â Hamzat said.
He described the governorship assignment as âaudaciousâ, but expressed confidence that his experience as Deputy Governor would prepare him for the task ahead.
“The mission is bold, and nobody is prepared. However, you have experience. I gained a lot of knowledge during my tenure as Lagos’ deputy governor under Governor Sanwo-Olu. It’s a room I know. The kitchen is somewhere I know.
It doesn’t matter how skilled a chef you are; you need to know the kitchen if you want to prepare meals for guests.
“I truly don’t have any fear with God’s blessings and the support of all my fathers here,” he continued.
The Villa meeting on Wednesday came after a slew of endorsements within 72 hours, including the GAC’s unanimous acceptance of Hamzat during a meeting and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s public statement on Monday endorsing him as his preferred successor and the meeting held on Tuesday at Lagos House, Marina.
In support of Hamzat’s aspirations, the 34-member council also decided to buy his N50 million governorship nomination form.
Following the Villa meeting, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, the chairman of the GAC, stated that the council’s choice represented consensus among members and disregarded criticism from other candidates.
However, he made it clear that in order to maintain equity and internal democracy, the party would continue to hold primaries in accordance with APC regulations.
The 59-year-old Hamzat was previously appointed Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. He has been the Deputy Governor of Lagos State since 2019.